News & Record laying off 40 in newspaper distribution change

The News & Record of Greensboro is eliminating seven full-time and 33 part-time positions as it reverts to a central distribution model for daily newspaper deliveries, the newspaper announced Wednesday.

For the last 10 years, the newspaper used converted horse trailers to take newspapers each morning to distribution points for contract carriers in a practice known as mobile distribution. With the change announced today, contract carriers will now come to the News & Record plant each morning to pick up papers. No contract carrier positions are affected.

The shift, which began in 2011, will mean the creation of eight part-time positions. Those affected by the job eliminations can apply for one of the new positions, or will qualify for severance, according to the newspaper.

Remodeling for the central distribution center at the newspaper's plant at 200 E. Market St. begins this week, with the project expected to be completed by mid-July.